Method and Apparatus for Securing a Head-Covering to a Head

ABSTRACT

An apparatus for securing a head-covering to a head, including: a first portion having a fastening section formed between connecting edges, the fastening section including a plurality of teeth and made from a flexible material; a second portion include one or more bridging pieces, the second portion coupled to the first portion at the connecting edges such that at least the fastening section is deformed forming a concave arc relative to the bridging pieces when coupled together; and a silicone material disposed on at least one surface of the second portion that is adapted to come into contact with skin of the head; wherein the apparatus is adapted to be flexibly deformed between an open state wherein the plurality of teeth are biased away from the bridging pieces and a closed state wherein the plurality of teeth are biased against the bridging pieces.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to accessories for adhering ahead-covering (e.g., a skullcap, wig, toupee etc.) to a head and morespecifically to a type of clip for adhering the head-covering to thehead.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The Jewish skullcap, also referred to by the Hebrew name “kipa” orYiddish name “yarlmuka”, was invented about 400 years ago in Europe, andsince then there have developed may different variations and differentsizes.

The adhering/coupling/sticking of the skullcap and/or head-coveringand/or wig to the head and/or hair, is an issue that is of particularconcern to anyone who wears such a skullcap or head-covering.

Some versions of the skullcap have a diameter which is smaller than thediameter of the head on which is rests, making it particularly difficultto affix to, or secure on, the head. A particularly difficult situationis to adhere/affix such a skullcap to a bald head. Similarly, wigs,toupees and other head-coverings need to be secured in place on thehead, in a non-permanent fashion.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to the present invention there is provided an apparatus forsecuring a head-covering to a head, the apparatus including: (a) a firstportion having a fastening section formed between connecting edges, thefastening section including a plurality of teeth and made from aflexible material; (b) a second portion include one or more bridgingpieces, the second portion coupled to the first portion at theconnecting edges such that at least the fastening section is deformed toform a concave arc relative to the one or more bridging pieces whencoupled together; and (c) a silicone material disposed on at least onesurface of the second portion that is adapted to come into contact withskin of the head; wherein the apparatus is adapted to be flexiblydeformed between an open state wherein the plurality of teeth are biasedaway from the one or more bridging pieces and a closed state wherein theplurality of teeth are biased against the one or more bridging pieces.

According to examples the first portion and the second portion areintegrally formed. According to further examples the first portion andthe second portion are coupled together. According to examples the firstand second portions are coupled together via a coupling means selectedfrom the group including: coupling pins, rivets, welding, adhesive andultrasonic bonding.

According to further examples the fastening section presents the concavearc relative to a virtual plane in the open state and a convex arcrelative to the virtual plane in the closed state, wherein theconnecting edges lie on the virtual plane.

According to further examples the silicone material is a siliconeadhesive. According to further examples the silicone material is asilicone sleeve or tube that is slid over at least one of the one ormore bridging pieces. According to further examples the siliconematerial is adhered to the at least one surface of the second portion.

According to another embodiment there is provided an apparatus forsecuring a head-covering to a head, the apparatus including: a baseplate of flexible material having a first surface on one side of thebase plate and a second surface on an opposite side of the base plate,the base plate having an upper section relative to an imaginary midlinerunning a length of the based plate and a lower section relative to themidline; an upper set of tines disposed on the upper section of the baseplate, on the first surface; and a lower set of tines disposed on thelower section of the base plate, on the second surface.

According to further examples the upper set of tines and the lower setof tines each extend in a direction away from the imaginary midline.According to further examples the set upper set of tines extends in adirection away from the imaginary midline and the lower set of tinesextends in a direction towards the imaginary midline or vice versa.

According to another embodiment there is provided a system for securinga head-covering to a head, the system including: (a) the apparatus asdescribed herein; (b) the head-covering; and (c) silicone materialdisposed on a head-facing surface of the head-covering in positionscorresponding to hairless areas of a bald, semi-bald or clean-shavenhead.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Various embodiments are herein described, by way of example only, withreference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1A-1E are various views of an embodiment of the apparatus;

FIG. 2A-2B are illustrations of the first portion in a flexed staterelative to virtual plane;

FIG. 3A-3B depict additional example configurations of first portions ofan embodiment of the apparatus;

FIG. 4A and 4B are example embodiments of another configuration of anapparatus;

FIG. 5 is an example head-covering HC with a plurality of a dots ofsilicone material 562 disposed on an inside surface of the head-coveringHC.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The principles and operation of an apparatus and method for coupling askullcap or hair-covering to a head according to the present inventionmay be better understood with reference to the drawings and theaccompanying description.

Attaching the skullcap, head-covering, or wig (also referred to herein,in the collective, as “head-covering”) to the head needs to be addressedin two main situations:

A. securing the head-covering to a head with hair; and

B. securing the head-covering to a head with spikey hair, shaved or abald (complete or partial) head.

Securing the head-covering to the head in these situations is amechanical and engineering challenge. Prior art clips snag hair betweenthe teeth or tongue of the clip and an opposing member or members.However, such clips are not able to provide an adequate solution for abald or cleanshaven head.

FIG. 1A illustrates a first portion 100 of an apparatus 10 according toone embodiment. The first portion 100 includes a fastening section 110formed between two connecting edges 120. The fastening section 110includes a plurality of teeth 112. As manufactured, the first portion isthin and planar piece made from a flexible (plastic elastic) material.The material may be, for example, metal or plastic. The first portionhas a generally rectangular shape. In the depicted example, theconnecting edges 120 include a plurality of holes 122. These holes areadapted to receive coupling pins or other fastening means.

One option manner of manufacturing the first portion is by laser cuttinga small, thin, rectangular sheet of metal. The design of the fasteningsection is merely an example, and many different designs andconfigurations can be employed.

FIG. 1B depicts an example of a bridging piece 150. One or more bridgingpieces 150 make up a second portion 140 of the apparatus 10. Thebridging piece, like the first portion, is flat, thin, planar, andflexible. The bridging piece includes connecting holes 152 on each endof the piece. The bridging piece has an overall length that is shorterthan the length of the first portion. For example, as depicted in FIGS.1A and 1B, the length of the first portion is 33.90 mm and the length ofthe bridging piece 150 is 33.63 mm.

FIG. 1C depicts the first portion and second portion of an example ofthe instant apparatus, with guide arrows indicating how the pieces arecoupled together. In the example configuration, the second portion 140includes two bridging pieces 150. FIG. 1D depicts the first portion andsecond portion coupled together. The connecting edges of first portionare aligned with the coupling holes of the second portion and coupledtogether. The relative lengths of the two portions ensures that thefirst portion is deformed, i.e., flexed, to line up the holes. Theportions can be coupled together via connecting pins through thecorresponding holes, welding, adhesive, etc. In summary, the secondportion is coupled to the first portion at the connecting edges suchthat at least the fastening section is deformed to form a concave arcrelative to the one or more bridging pieces when coupled together.

The apparatus further includes a silicone material disposed on at leastone surface of second portion adapted to come into contact with skin ofthe head. In examples, the silicone material may be a thin silicone tubeor sleeve that is slid over (i.e., disposed on) one or more of thebridging pieces. In other examples, the silicone material is a siliconeadhesive. In some examples, silicone material is adhered to the at leastone surface of the second portion. The silicone may be droplets ofsilicone 162 that have been deposited on the surface or surfaces of thebridging pieces or a layer of silicone deposited on the surface(s).

In some embodiments, the first portion and the second portion areintegrally formed. In some embodiments the first portion and the secondportion are coupled together. In examples, the first and second portionsare coupled together via a coupling means selected from the groupincluding: coupling pins, rivets, welding, adhesive and ultrasonicbonding.

FIG. 1E depicts the one example of an apparatus of the instantinnovation with the first portion and second portion coupled together.The second portion is coupled to the first portion at the connectingedges such that at least the fastening section is deformed to form aconcave arc relative to the one or more bridging pieces.

FIG. 2A depicts the first portion in a flexed state relative to virtualplane P in an open state. FIG. 2B depicts the first portion in a flexedstate relative to virtual plane in closed state. The fastening sectionpresents a concave arc relative to a virtual plane P in an open stateand a convex arc relative to the virtual plane in a closed state/Theconnecting edges of the first portion lie on the virtual plane P.

Another possible configuration of the first portion 100 a is shown inFIG. 3A and yet another configuration of a first portion 100 b is shownin FIG. 3B. For each of the configurations 100 a and 100 b, all of thedetails provided above with regards to first portion 100 likewise apply,mutatis mutandis, thereto.

Yet another configuration is shown in FIG. 4A. FIG. 4A is a front viewof a facing surface of a unique clip 400 for securing a head covering toa head. The clip 400 includes a two-way mechanical structure forgripping the hair. In example embodiments, the clip 400 is formed from athin, planar sheet or base plate 402 of metallic or polymeric material.The clip includes tines or teeth 410. One set of tines, e.g., an upperset of tines 412, is disposed above an imaginary midway line thatseparates the clip into an upper half and a lower half. The tines, inthe instant example, are disposed longitudinally across almost theentire width of the base plate. The upper tines 412 are bent away fromthe base sheet/plate on the facing side.

Conversely, the apparatus 400 includes a second set of tines on a lowerhalf of the base plate 402. The lower tines 414 protrude (e.g., are bentaway) from the base plate 402 on the opposite side of the clip. Both theupper tines and the lower tines face outwardly, away from the imaginarymidline

According to one example, the tines 410 (i.e., both sets of tines 412and 414 [see below]) are laser cut from the base sheet. According toanother example, the tines are mechanically attached. to the base sheet402 (e.g., by welding, rivets, pins, adhesive and/or any other methodswell known in the art).

The clip 400 may be attached to the inside surface of a head-covering byany means known in the art. For example, clip 400 may be sewn into theinside lining of the head covering by holes 404.

An alternative configuration similar clip 400 is depicted in FIG. 4B.FIG. 4B illustrates a clip 400 a which is similar to, but a variationon, clip 400. All of the characteristics of the clip 400 a are similarto those of clip 400 except for one distinction. Accordingly, thedescription provided for clip 400 should be seen as if fully set forthherein, mutatis mutandis, in relation to clip 400 a (each element beingidentified with a same reference number) besides for the followingexception: the lower set of tines 414 a extends towards the direction ofthe midline (as opposed to extending away from the midline in clip 400).

Clip 400 a can be adhered to the inside surface of the head covering ina similar fashion to that which was described in relation to clip 400.Alternatively, the tines on one side of the clip can be adhered to aperipheral edge of a head covering such as a skullcap/yarmulka orheadscarf while the tines on the other side of the clip snag hair.

In some embodiments, clip 400 and/or clip 400 a additionally include asilicone (or similar) material disposed on the clip. In examples,droplets of silicone 420 can be arrayed in a line across the imaginarymidline of the clip 400/400 a. Alternatively, a full line of silicone ora peripheral border of silicone material (not shown) can be disposed onthe clip 400/400 a.

According to embodiments, there is provided a system for securing ahead-covering to a head. The system includes any one of theconfigurations of the apparatus disclosed above that is applicable. Foreach type of head covering, a different type of clip may be applicableThe system further includes a head-covering, where the head covering hasdisposed on an internal surface thereof: a plurality of a dots ofsilicone material. FIG. 5 depicts an example head-covering HC with aplurality of a dots of silicone material 562 disposed on an insidesurface of the head-covering HC. A single unbroken line or variousshapes of the material may be additionally or alternatively applied tothe inside surface of the head covering. The silicone material (ormaterial with similar properties to silicone) is disposed on theinternal surface of the head-covering in positions corresponding tohairless areas of a bald, semi-bald and clean-shaven head. In somecases, the silicone material (or its alternatives) can be disposed on aperiphery of the head covering.

A silicone adhesive material may be used in place of, or in addition to,the aforementioned silicone material. The desired characteristics beinga soft rubbery material that sticks, clings or gives at least somedegree of purchase when placed on a bald or clean-shaven head.

The silicone material can be made of or include glow-in-the-dark and/orreflective material. Accordingly, one wearing the head covering (e.g., askullcap) can invert the head covering at night in order to be visibleto passing traffic etc.

It is made clear that any use of the instant apparatus/clip, accordingto any of the aforementioned configurations/embodiments, is includedwithin the scope of the invention. The clip is adapted to connect a headcovering or any other relevant object to hair and/or a hairless head aswell as being adapted for any other use, such as, but not limited to,connecting inanimate objects together.

While the invention has been described with respect to a limited numberof embodiments, it will be appreciated that many variations,modifications and other applications of the invention may be made.Therefore, the claimed invention as recited in the claims that follow isnot limited to the embodiments described herein.

What is claimed is:
 1. An apparatus for securing a head-covering to ahead, the apparatus comprising: (a) a first portion having a fasteningsection formed between connecting edges, said fastening sectionincluding a plurality of teeth and made from a flexible material; (b) asecond portion include one or more bridging pieces, said second portioncoupled to said first portion at said connecting edges such that atleast said fastening section is deformed to form a concave arc relativeto said one or more bridging pieces when coupled together; and (c) asilicone material disposed on at least one surface of said secondportion that is adapted to come into contact with skin of the head;wherein the apparatus is adapted to be flexibly deformed between an openstate wherein said plurality of teeth are biased away from said one ormore bridging pieces and a closed state wherein said plurality of teethare biased against said one or more bridging pieces.
 2. The apparatus ofclaim 1, wherein said first portion and said second portion areintegrally formed.
 3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said firstportion and said second portion are coupled together.
 4. The apparatusof claim 3, wherein said first and second portions are coupled togethervia a coupling means selected from the group including: coupling pins,rivets, welding, adhesive and ultrasonic bonding.
 5. The apparatus ofclaim 1, wherein said fastening section presents said concave arcrelative to a virtual plane in said open state and a convex arc relativeto said virtual plane in said closed state, wherein said connectingedges lie on said virtual plane.
 6. The apparatus of claim 1, whereinsaid silicone material is a silicone adhesive.
 7. The apparatus of claim1, wherein said silicone material is a silicone sleeve or tube that isslid over at least one of said one or more bridging pieces.
 8. Theapparatus of claim 1, wherein said silicone material is adhered to saidat least one surface of said second portion.
 9. An apparatus forsecuring a head-covering to a head, the apparatus comprising: a baseplate of flexible material having a first surface on one side of saidbase plate and a second surface on an opposite side of said base plate,said base plate having an upper section relative to an imaginary midlinerunning a length of said based plate and a lower section relative tosaid midline; an upper set of tines disposed on said upper section ofsaid base plate, on said first surface; and a lower set of tinesdisposed on said lower section of said base plate, on said secondsurface.
 10. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said upper set of tinesand said lower set of tines each extend in a direction away from saidimaginary midline.
 11. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said set upperset of tines extends in a direction away from said imaginary midline andsaid lower set of tines extends in a direction towards said imaginarymidline or vice versa.
 12. A system for securing a head-covering to ahead, the system comprising: (a) the apparatus of claim 1; (b) thehead-covering; and (c) silicone material disposed on a head-facingsurface of the head-covering in positions corresponding to hairlessareas of a bald, semi-bald or clean-shaven head.